PLANNERS ADVISE ON LIGHTHOUSE PROPOSAL

PLANS for works at St John’s Point Lighthouse, which are required for it to retain its rotating light, look set to be submitted in the near future.

A PAD (pre-application discussion) submission – which allows potential applicants to discuss and receive advice on their proposal from planners prior to lodging a full application – for the Point Road landmark was recently sent to council.

It states that the works would allow for the retention of the ‘rotating Fresnel lens and visible flash character’, as well as for ‘the removal of mercury and diesel generation from the lighthouse’.

‘The existing Fresnel lens will continue in operation by installing a mechanical rotational ball bearing race below the lens, replacing the mercury used in the existing rotation system,’ the submission continues.

‘The mercury will be removed from the site for responsible disposal by a specialist contractor.

‘It is intended to replace the existing light-source with a low-energy LED light-source; this will enable the replacement of the existing diesel generator and fuel storage with a battery system in the event of mains electrical failure.’

The proposal also ‘contains a range of ancillary works, including the removal of existing electrical cabinets, the relocation of the disused fog signal emitter from the lantern room to the fog signal compressor room (to the southern part of the site), and the investigation and rectification (if required) of dampness to the original lining to the inside face of external walls of the lighthouse’.

The Commissioners of Irish Lights website notes that St John’s Point Lighthouse is one of 70 lighthouses it operates ‘around the coast of Ireland’, and that it is also one of 12 lighthouses that make up an all-island tourism initiative called the ‘Great Lighthouses of Ireland’.

It also highlights that the light was first established at the Killough lighthouse 180 years ago on 1 May 1844, and that it continues to play ‘a vital role in maritime safety.